OUR MISSION

The NexGen STEM Academy at Salisbury Middle School seeks to build the next generation of leaders that are inspired to assess and solve community and global problems collaboratively through curiosity, creativity, and innovation.

NEXGEN AT A GLANCE

THE TEAM WILL

  • Consist of students with a high degree of interest in the STEM discipline areas.
  • Focus on rigorous project/problem-based learning.
  • Provide inquiry-based instruction focused on problem solving, decision making, discovery and cooperative learning with a high degree of interactive hands-on involvement.
  • Promote an interdisciplinary teaching approach, with technology usage inside, and outside of the classroom.
  • Expect students to have a high work ethic and learn from and accept failure.
  • Include consistent application of Maryland’s STEM Standards of Practice and College and Career Readiness standards.

A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT PROFILE

  • Organized
  • Develops good time management
  • Accountable
  • Resilient
  • Growth-Mindset
  • Collaborative/team player.
  • High Interest in program
  • Critical thinker
  • Problem solver
  • Learn from and accepts failure
  • Success through experience not just grades

NEXUS [HUB FOR INNOVATION]

Connect | Discover | Create
@ The NeXus

A hub for innovation using the engineering design process and emerging technologies.

Mission

To foster a collaborative community founded on a culture of creativity and innovation that identifies issues, explores opportunities, and develops solutions using the engineering design process and emerging technologies.

Vision

Students from all disciplines working together to combine their unique expertise and perspectives under the guidance of experienced mentors to create new and effective solutions to the complex problems of our day.

Sample Technology Available

  • Dell High Performance Desktops
  • 3D Printers
  • Carvey CNC machine
  • 45W Laser Cutter
  • Vacuum Former
  • Littlebits
  • LEGO Spike Prime and Mindstorms Robot Kits
  • VEX Robotic Kits
  • Raspberry pi
  • Augmented Reality Sandbox
For more information about
the NeXus Lab, click here.

NEXGEN LABORATORY FOR AGRICULTURE
AND THE ENVIRONMENT (NLAE)/ PROJECT GREEN
 The NexGen Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment (NLAE) is multidisciplinary and is utilized throughout the core courses within the NexGen STEM Academy. The NLAE is focused on integrating the fundamental principles of agriculture, and environmental sustainability through hands-on student research and projects that require students to design solutions that lead to improved environmental quality, sustainability, and enhanced agricultural system efficiency.
  • For more information about the NLAE and Project Green, click here.

 PROJECT LEAD THE WAY (GATEWAY)


  • The hands-on program boosts classroom engagement and excitement, drives collaboration, and inspires “aha! moments” and deep comprehension.
  • Units engage and empower students to develop essential skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and perseverance.
  • PLTW Gateway Units
    • 6th Grade
      • Design and Modeling
      • Computer Science for Innovators & Makers
    • 7th Grade
      • Green Architecture
      • Medical Detectives
    • 8th Grade
      • Automation and Robotics
      • Flight and Space
  • For more information about Project Lead the Way, please click here.

ROBOTICS: FIRST® LEGO® LEAGUE

FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 9-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping today's students and teachers build a better future together.

FIRST® LEGO® League inspires youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on STEM learning and robotics.

Friendly competition is at the heart of Challenge, as teams of students engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering - building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game.
For more information about FIRST LEGO League Challenge, click here.

CAPSTONE PROJECT SHOWCASE

[CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE]

STUDENT SELECTION PROCESS

  1. To be eligible for consideration, students must meet a number of academic requirements including GPA, iReady, and a math assessment.
  2. Students must express a true interest in STEM content areas. If they are not, this may not be the program for them.
  3. If needed (greater than 50 students), a random drawing will be conducted.